A review by emilyb_chicago
Tea and Murder: Stories of the Xuya Universe: The Citadel of Weeping Pearls & The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

There are two novellas combined into this short story.

The Citadel of Weeping Pearls - This was a 5 star story for me. I was effortlessly incorporated into the this new and different far future, so far ahead that aspects of science seem almost magical. I loved the emotional journeys our characters went through and was on the edge of my seat toward the end.

The Tea Master and the Detective - This was a 3 star story for me. I love the unique view of mindships and the exploration of trauma for something so seemingly vulnerable. Unfortunately, I felt the mystery was a little heavy handed because it seemed squeezed and shaped to fit into a Sherlock and Watson model that did not work for me. The writing was still amazing and I think this was just a bad fit for me as a reader.

I will continue to explore de Bodard's worlds and stories as her blend of science and beautiful writing make my heart happy.